Republican will challenge incumbent Goodwin in primary
EDENTON, NC — John C. Spruill, a Washington County Commissioner and volunteer fire chief, talked about the issues of eastern North Carolina, such as the need to raise the pay of first-responders and teachers, providing affordable housing and lowering costs to attract and maintain industry to a crowd of supporters Thursday evening, Sept. 4, at Leon Nixon’s Catering in Edenton.
Spruill will challenge incumbent Republican Ed Goodwin in the March primary election for the North Carolina House District 1 seat.
The meet-and-greet drew residents from across the sprawling district that encompasses much of northeastern North Carolina, including Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Hyde, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington counties.
Campaign Platform: Live Well, Work Proud, Play Free
Spruill centered his remarks around his three-part campaign slogan, which he described as reflecting the American dream for eastern North Carolina residents.
Live Well encompasses his vision for lower taxes, fiscal responsibility, safe communities, strong schools, affordable housing, and accessible healthcare. Spruill emphasized the need for better teacher compensation, noting that North Carolina ranks 39th nationally in teacher pay, despite being first in the nation for business climate.
“The starting pay for teachers is $41,000,” Spruill told the audience. “We can be No. 1 in business. Why can we not be at least closer to No. 1 when it comes to teacher pay?”
He cited research suggesting a direct correlation between teacher compensation and student test scores, arguing that educational investment would drive long-term economic growth.
Work Proud focuses on supporting family farms, small businesses, and commercial fishing while attracting new industries to the region. Spruill highlighted agriculture’s $111.1 billion contribution to North Carolina’s economy while noting farmers’ struggles with inflation and consolidation in agricultural supply chains.
The candidate advocated for completing Interstate 17 designation and four-laning US 64 to improve transportation infrastructure. He also expressed support for legislation preventing adversarial foreign governments from purchasing land near military installations, referencing Chinese ownership of 44,000 acres in North Carolina.
Play Free envisions residents earning sufficient wages to enjoy eastern North Carolina’s recreational opportunities after covering basic expenses.
Personal Background and Experience
A lifelong North Carolina resident, Spruill grew up in the Roper area and holds degrees in criminal justice and construction management from East Carolina University. He currently serves as Washington County Commissioner in his first term and has been with the volunteer fire department for 33 years, including recent service as fire chief.
Spruill secured $720,000 in federal funding through Congressman Don Davis for new fire equipment and emphasized his experience with grants and community development.
“I really enjoyed being able to help the citizens of Washington County,” Spruill said. “It’s been an eye-opening experience for me. And it’s taught me a lot of things about what we need in Eastern North Carolina.”
Regional Challenges and Solutions
The candidate highlighted population loss as a critical issue, noting that only Currituck and Dare counties in the district have gained residents according to recent Census data. He attributed Currituck’s 9,000-person growth to Virginia residents seeking lower taxes, while many work across state lines.
Spruill addressed the region’s workforce challenges, citing discussions with Beaufort County Community College President David Lou about training programs. He noted that Beaufort Community College recently ranked No. 1 nationally among community colleges and emphasized regional educational assets, including College of the Albemarle and Elizabeth City State University.
On healthcare access, Spruill praised recent passage of House Bill 67, which creates pathways for internationally-trained physicians to practice in North Carolina. He advocated for expanding practice authority for nurse practitioners and physician assistants, citing potential savings of $650 million to $6 billion in healthcare costs.
Family and Community Ties
Spruill was accompanied by his wife Terri, son Cory (an attorney), daughter-in-law Leanne (also an attorney), his mother, and other family members. He serves as an elder at his local church and holds a general contractor’s license while working as chief estimator for a site work company.
The candidate expressed particular concern about affordable housing, sharing one of his sons’ struggles to find reasonably-priced homes after military service. He advocated for removing regulatory barriers and incentivizing builders to create affordable housing options.
Looking Ahead
Spruill concluded by emphasizing his commitment to collaborative leadership and hard work, drawing on his construction background to describe his hands-on approach.
“I’m not much on a bunch of flowery stuff, but I am a hard worker,” he told supporters. “I like to put my hands to the plow and get things done, and that’s where I succeed at.”
The candidate encouraged attendees to spread word about his campaign and vision for eastern North Carolina. Campaign materials and yard signs were available at the event, with additional information accessible through his campaign website.
The primary election is scheduled for March 2025, with the winner advancing to the general election in November.
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